Everything You Need to Know About Invisalign
Invisalign is clearly the best way to achieve a great smile! Invisalign teeth aligners are made from flexible plastic that makes them more comfortable than traditional metal. The material also makes it easy to slip your Invisalign aligners on and off your teeth.
The innovative technology used in Invisalign makes teeth straightening fast and reliable. You’ll see the results you want in just a few weeks. You may even complete your treatment in as little as 6 months. The length of your treatment time depends on how much tooth-straightening you need, the length of time that you wear your Invisalign each day, and certain lifestyle habits. Invisalign uses a computerized system that plans and controls the movement of your teeth, from the very first day of treatment to the last, so the trays move your teeth more predictably - no guesswork!
Getting Invisalign
Meet with your dentist
Your dentist will listen to your expectations and evaluate your teeth to create a treatment plan that helps you achieve your teeth-straightening goals. The cosmetic dentistry professional will also assess your overall oral health and dental history to help you determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign teeth aligners.
Create your treatment plan
Your dentist in Charlotte uses state-of-the-art scanning devices and software to make images of your teeth and map out the path your teeth will take to their optimal position. Your dentist then sends the information to an Invisalign laboratory, where technicians use the data to create a series of plastic aligner trays.
Start using your Invisalign
When your Invisalign trays are ready, you’ll return to our dentist’s office where we’ll make sure your Invisalign trays fit properly. We’ll also share some tips for getting the most out of your teeth straightening program and keeping your teeth and gums healthy while you straighten your teeth.
You’ll receive a new set of Invisalign trays about once every two weeks, according to your personal teeth-straightening plan. Simply start wearing your new trays and throw away the old ones.
For the best results possible, you’ll wear your Invisalign for 22 or more hours each day. You can take your Invisalign out to brush your teeth, eat and drink, and engage in your favorite activities.
You’ll still visit our dentist periodically throughout your treatment. During these visits, we’ll check on your teeth-straightening progress, look for signs of oral health issues, and answer your questions.
Is Invisalign Right for Me?
Invisalign might be right for you if you have:
- Crowded teeth - occurs when there are too many teeth to fit comfortably on your jaw, or when teeth move towards each other
- Overbite - when the top front teeth overlap the opposing bottom teeth to create “buck teeth”
- Underbite - the bottom front teeth stick out beyond the top front teeth
- Crossbite - occurs when the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth when you bite down
- Open bite - happens when your top and bottom teeth do not come together at all when you bite down, which creates an “open” area between your upper and lower front teeth
- Crooked teeth - teeth that are twisted or bent out of position
- Gapped teeth - spaces between your teeth
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign works like traditional braces to straighten teeth - only better. Like regular braces, Invisalign applies consistent pressure on the treated teeth. This pressure gently pushes the teeth towards the intended location on your jaw.
The trays are made to fit snugly around your teeth, without any gaps. This snug fit generates the orthodontic force to move your teeth in the desired direction.
Each tray builds upon the progress of the previous tray, moving the teeth only a little bit. In fact, each aligner tray moves the tooth or group of teeth 0.25 to 0.33 millimeters, which is around one one-hundredth of an inch. While this might not seem like much, it is enough to move your teeth to their ideal position.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of Invisalign is similar to that of braces - and just like braces, the price of Invisalign depends largely on the severity of your malocclusion, the duration of your treatment, and your lifestyle habits.
Invisalign price can range from $1,800 to $9,500 per treatment, according to GoodRx. The average Invisalign treatment for teenagers costs $3,000.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign provides a number of benefits over traditional braces.
- Eat and drink whatever you want - simply remove your Invisalign trays before enjoying your favorite foods and beverages
- Virtually invisible - metal braces can be embarrassing; since Invisalign is virtually invisible, nobody will notice that you are wearing them
- Easy to care for - brush and floss as normal after removing your Invisalign; rinse, brush and soak your Invisalign to keep the trays in good condition
- Comfort - the metal wires and brackets of traditional braces can be uncomfortable; while you might feel slight discomfort and pressure when you switch to a new aligner tray, Invisalign is significantly more comfortable than standard braces
- Highly effective - Invisalign is as effective as traditional braces, if not more!
- Convenient - there is nothing you can’t do with Invisalign: no more restrictions on food or activities - just remove your Invisalign clear aligner trays and get on with your life
- Proven effective - You’ll benefit from the experiences of more than 15 million people who have improved their smile with Invisalign
How to Care for Your Invisalign
Clean your aligners regularly
Bacteria in your mouth can cause a number of oral health issues, including cavities and gum disease. Normally, saliva rinses away bacteria before it causes damage, but wearing an Invisalign tray may hold the bacteria against your teeth.
Clean your aligners twice a day by brushing with a soft toothbrush and gentle toothpaste to remove bacteria, along with food particles. Rinse your aligners to remove saliva, plaque and bacteria before you put the trays back in.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners
Abrasive cleaners, such as teeth-whitening toothpastes, can scratch your aligners. Avoid using soap, denture cleaner, or mouthwash, as these can make your aligner trays appear dull and less “invisible.”
Soak your Invisalign aligners once a day
Soaking your aligners provides a deep, gentle cleaning. Add Invisalign cleaning crystals or other soaking solution to lukewarm water. Submerge your aligner trays and let them soak for 15 minutes. Brush your trays with toothpaste then rinse before returning them to your mouth.
Remove your aligners before you eat or drink
Some foods and beverages can stain or even damage your Invisalign aligner trays. Take out your aligners before you eat or drink anything other than water.
Store your Invisalign in their case
Invisalign are nearly invisible, which means they can be easy to lose whenever they are out of your mouth. Keep your Invisalign safe by putting them in their case whenever you remove them.
How Can I Get Invisalign in Charlotte?
For more information about getting Invisalign in Charlotte, contact Skyview Dentistry. Our cosmetic dentist in Charlotte can help you determine if Invisalign can help give you an appealing smile. We offer a wide variety of dental services to keep your smile looking its best.